“Build it and they will drum.” Dedicated to research, study and comparisons of field drums. Our purpose is to collect information about historical U.S. drums (manufacture, preservation, conservancy, repair, market) for use by scholars, collectors and others. Photographs of drums, and anything related, together with informative narratives, are welcome. Interested readers will find archived postings a good resource. Reach us at BlogMaster@FieldDrums.com.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Civil War snare drum used by Charles Junge. It is said to have the signatures of his buddies inside.

Frank Pettis (1850- 1918) was eleven when he enlisted in the Union army as a drummer boy during the Civil War. At the age of twelve he began military service with his father and served from February 22, 1862 to August 9, 1865.

Pettis was present for every battle his unit was engaged in - from Suffolk, VA, and Newberne, NC to the sieges of Richmond and Petersburg.

After the war, Pettis returned to Reedsburg and helped in his father’s tailor shop. When he was 20, he became a miller.

He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and the Reedsburg Drum Corps until his death on August 15, 1918. At his funeral the Reedsburg Drum Corps, with muffled drums preceded the hearse to Greenwood Cemetery where he is buried.

Frank Pettis (1850-1918) was eleven when he enlisted in the army as a drummer boy during the Civil War. At the age of twelve he began military service with his teacher, Captain A. P. Ellinwood, in the 19th Infantry, Company A. He served from February 22, 1862 to August 9, 1865.

Pettis was with his Captain in every battle in which their unit was engaged — from Suffolk, VA and Newberne, NC to the Siege of Petersburg and on to Richmond, where the colors of his regiment were the first to float from the Confederate capital building, Richmond, VA.

After the Civil War, Pettis returned to Reedsburg. First he helped in his father's tailor shop, but at the age of twenty learned the miller's trade. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Reedsburg Drum Corps until his death on August 15, 1918. At his funeral the Reedsburg Drum Corps with muffled drums preceded the hearse to the Greenwood Cemetery where he was buried near his Captain.

Pettis left five children. One of his direct descendants, Richard Curtis Knight, lives today (1998) near Rock Springs.

Inspirational

The drums on these pages were here long before we arrived and, with care, should be around long after we've departed. We have the privilege of taking care of them for a short period. As such, we are self-appointed caretakers of a small slice of our
country's rich heritage. By sharing knowledge and information, we will all be better suited to discharge our responsibilities with skill and good judgment. Ellis R. Mirsky, Blogmaster@FieldDrums.com